Om Namah Shivaya

My works...

I'll be grateful if you...

Feb 20, 2012

BOOK REVIEW: Chicken Soup For Indian Soul

BOOK RIVIEW: Chicken Soup for the Indian Soul: Teens Talk – Growing Up

This lovely book is compilation of ‘inspiring 101 stories about meeting challenges and growing up’ in life, which took me back to the dreams I have had, the aspiration that I aspired for and the childhood I grew up in. This is not a book only for the teens but for many of the older generation, who will benefit by reading these inspiring stories, moments of life as well as raw thoughts that were to be shaped by relentless march of time. While reading these lovely leaves from the tree of growing up, I could touch base with my own roots, the earth and the environment, which made me what I am today. An interesting side effect of reading these lovely stories was to bring out the lost memories, aspiration and goals back into present focus. It inspired me to take out those lost stories, poetry and dreams from the attics of life; dust them up and show them the light of day and begin fresh on the path long last. This book is all about living those dreams and making them possible through experiences of many who have been there and done that…

THE BOOK:

The compilation by Jack Canfiled, Mark Victor Hansen & Aarti Katoch Pathak is apt with various stories put under 7 aspects of Teenager’s growth. And as Aarti quotes in her introduction to the book,

“If you could live without passion, may be we’d know some kind of peace. But we would be hollow empty rooms, shuttered and dank… without passion we would be truly dead” – Angelus in Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Passion is an abiding element in this collection of 101 stories.

HIGHLIGHTS:

As it has quite a number of stories from the famous people who have shared their dreams and desires, which makes it a lot more interesting. Another thing that I liked about the book, is sharing a brief note on the author with their contacts so that any one inspired enough by their story can connect.

A lovely read and highly recommended for all, but especially so, to the teenage kids around.

THOUGHTS:

Now I will leave you with some interesting thoughts from the stories in the book to give you the flavour and entice you into picking this book up one lazy Sunday afternoon and float away into the long lost land of dreams and aspirations….

“… that day, he (My father) gave me a new life and I promised myself that I would make it meaningful” – from ‘A New Life’ by Khurseed Dinshaw (A Pune based freelance writer with more than 620 published articles)

“The key (to choose) is to look beyond the imperfections because happiness is a journey, not a destination“ – from ‘Bless the Broken Road’ by Kadambari Shah (17 years old FY student of St. Xavier’s College)

“ Many times in life, when things don’t go our way, it is perhaps because God has something better planned for us” – from ‘Sometimes you just got to Wrestle it Out’ by Sushil Kumar (World Champion Wrestler)

“… the soul and the intellect often have growth spurts – they grow in fits” – from ‘Rites Of Passage’ by Gayathri Ponvannan (A network Engineers and Free lance writer)

“While, the good times shared by friends bring them closer, it’s the dealing with adversity together that really transforms that friendship into an everlasting bond” – from ‘A Lesson from the Birds and Bees’ by Nidhi Kaushik (A free lance writer well published writer)

“I now believe that faith probably is the only thing that can preserve the sanity of an individual, and thus the culture, tradition and respect of the nation” – from ‘Resurrection of Faith’ by Tarundeep Singh (IT professional who has co-authored a US Patent and self published two books)

“Success is a combination of destiny and intelligent planning” – from ‘The Centre Stage’ by Amrita Rao (Actress)

YOU ARE VISITOR NUMBER...

WORLD'S TOP SPIRITUAL BLOG - 36TH RANK (2016)

SPOTLIGHT - PROMOTING NEW AUTHORS

Spotlight is my small effort to support upcoming authors in their effort to reach their readers. And yes, it is FREE, however to be featured in this section, you need to go through a selection process, please click here for details.

Writes Poetry, Haiku, Spiritual Fiction, most of the times about Spiritual and blissful living. He enjoys spiritual journeys across India / High on Himalayas or floating below in depths Ganges, on a self-exploration trip, all the while trying to work out that elusive enlightenment, which every one talks about but, most of the times, don't find.

... and he ends up writing about these experiences at his blog "Shadow Dancing With Mind", which is considered to be India's #1 Spiritual Blog (last three years) and has been listed #36 in top 50 spiritual blogs of the Planet this year.

MY BOOK - 1 OF 'THE MONK KEY' 3 PART SERIES

Songs of the Mist

SONGS OF THE MIST - An Introduction

"Many of us here yearn for something more in our life. Shashi has provided a spiritual release in his beautiful book, "Songs of the Mist". It’s unusual and thought provoking book. The book answers questions that we struggle to frame in our daily lives. Shashi’s descriptive beauty of the mystic nature of Himalayas interwoven with sufferings and the heartaches, and the struggle of each protagonist, provide eloquent and thought provoking read. Not a book to be browsed at glance and to reach books full potential demands commitment and investment of time to savor its subtlety and do grows." - Timeri N Murari (Famous Author, Script Writer and Journalist) speaking about “Songs of the Mist” at an evening of Art, Music and Writing organised by Apparao Galleries at The Hotel Leela Palace